Comments on: Why Tourists Probably Can’t Register for Wireless@SG Online

By: Firstapril90

Firstapril90 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:48:00 +0000

With wireless@sg many places like MacDonalds, Starbucks, Coffee Beans etc have stopped providing free wifi to their customers. With the tough registrations, I can sympathize with the poor tourist who wanted just to read their emails with their smart phones. Even for locals, I tried to register an account for my son using his phone but failed several times because of the many security features of the online form and the small screen of the phone. I then had to redo it with my notebook at home. With this regards, I really appreciate all the free wifis I get while travelling in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and many of the big cities in China. All I need is the WEP provided when making a purchase. They are definitely more tourist friendly then Singapore.

By: The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily Tech: 25 Nov 2009

The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily Tech: 25 Nov 2009 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:01:53 +0000

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By: DK

DK — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:26:26 +0000

Daniel: We can simply blacklist those places where they don’t register the ID of the Pre-Paid card. At least the process is convenient for most countries since they do register the Pre-Paid card.

Another way is to go thru credit card. Charge a small token (Maybe $1 or $2) for tourist who wants to register for Wireless@sg account and make them use credit card for payment.

By: NTT

NTT — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:43:25 +0000

Great discussion guys… We have some ideas.. We could totally talk about this on one of the episodes of 65Bits and then hopefully get someone from IDA/MDA to listen/read them.. That’s the least we can do right??

Njoy,

-NTT

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:50:11 +0000

Yep you’re right about cost.

There are already booths today at the airport etc thought I agree they could use more “marketing” to let people know about the booths…

By: The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily Tech: 18 Nov 2009

The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily Tech: 18 Nov 2009 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:01:29 +0000

[...] Store Opening? – Arstechnica: Respected developers begin fleeing from App Store platform – Tech65: Why Tourists Probably Canâ€™t Register for Wireless@SG Online – TechGoondu: Nokia E72 goes on sale – Engadget: Samsung unveils Android-equipped Galaxy Spica [...]

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:44:49 +0000

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By: Tan

Tan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:26:53 +0000

There will be cost for naking it easier for tourist to register at hotels or cafes, who will foot them? I think the cost factor is very important. Afterall there is no point if you can only get a few hotels or cafes to participate in it. But the cost of implementing it in ALL the cafes and hotels in Singapore is going to be astronomical.

Since all tourists come in through either the airport, ferry port or immigration at woodlands or tuas, it make sense to just set up counter specifically at the exit of the transit area. And of course we can do more to bring awareness to them so if they know they have to use it, register it before heading into town.

That wouldnt settle all situations as some will feel like using it when they are already in town. In such cases, maybe can have 1 booth somewhere in town to let these people register? A convenient place that is. Maybe in the heart of Orchard road where tourists are.

Or alternatively, can work with hotels to verify their identification like scanning of passport and fax it to the main office.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:23 +0000

The hotel idea is good though. It would be better if they actually put a note in their room to let them know that is possible. Better than they end up only discovering that they have to register at the counter when they’re sitting down in Starbucks.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:58:55 +0000

The problem is that it’s “most” not “all” countries. When it comes to security, they can’t afford for “most”. I’d just find a country where I can buy a pre-paid card without any ID and register if that’s the case.

Actually the Visa NTT suggested is not referring to credit cards, but travel Visas.

By: dk

dk — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:52:41 +0000

I think most country can link the mobile number to the owner. After 911, most places do registration even for prepaid card. So why not open the registration to mobile phone number around the world? Malaysia is doing that for their Wireless@KL. And I think it is a good solution.

Another way is to provide more counters for tourist to register. Or work with hotel to get them help their guest register for wireless@sg.

Or link to a credit card like what NTT suggested.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:59 +0000

That’s a good point. But not everyone needs a VISA to enter Singapore, right? Speaking of VISA, maybe using a credit card number might work too. But then again, not everyone has credit cards right?

By: NTT

NTT — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:15:55 +0000

Well said..

How about allowing Tourists to use their Visa numbers to register?? I know that the Tourist Name – Visa Number database might be only accessible to ICA for now, but if that could be used to verify the identity as well, it could work..

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:01:16 +0000

Just thought of another argument against this. “Why can KL let you register online even if you’re not Malaysian?”

If you ask me? All I’m going say is that the Singapore government tends to be very good at finding blind spots. That’s all I’m saying